Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen Says Team Will Stay In The Family "No Matter What"

Bowlen is viewed by others in the front office as attentive, but not micromanaging

Broncos Owner PAT BOWLEN was profiled by Mike Klis of the DENVER POST, who notes Bowlen is going on his 30th season with the franchise and is "only eight victories from becoming the ninth individual owner in NFL history to reach 300 wins." If the Broncos "meet expectations this season, Bowlen will join the 300 club the fastest." He has "nourished the fan base with an insatiable will to win," and the Broncos' sellout streak "has grown to 333 consecutive home games." Bowlen said of the future of the franchise, "If something were to happen to me, I've already made this clear: The team is going to stay in the Bowlen family no matter what. It's a great asset. And it's a lot of fun if you do it right." Klis wrote the "most astonishing feat in Bowlen's stewardship is the Broncos have had only five losing seasons in 29 years." For going on 30 years, Bowlen has been "in his office nearly every day during the season." His management style "is instructive in that his employees know he's in the building, paying attention, yet he doesn't micromanage." Broncos Exec VP/Football Operations JOHN ELWAY said Bowlen "knows when to apply pressure in a timely way." Klis noted Bowlen in the hiring of JOSH MCDANIELS as a head coach "realized a mistake and didn't wait to correct it." Bowlen in recent years has gone from "a reluctant place in the spotlight to operating in the background." This has "stirred speculation that he no longer has a substantial role running the team." Broncos President JOE ELLIS said, "We bring decisions to him. ... He wants it that way. If he doesn't agree with them or they don't make sense or he can tweak them to make them feel better, he says so." Meanwhile, Bowlen works out "nearly every day." He said, "I'm feeling great" (DENVER POST, 8/18).